How to select the correct dripping tray
If liquid fertilizers and/ or crop protection products are used by a company, and more than 50 liters is stored, the company’s storage should be equipped with a
dripping tray (unless it has a liquid-repellent floor). You will collect leaked or spilled liquid fertilizers or crop protection products in the dripping tray, so that they cannot leak any further preventing damaging the floor or crops. When purchasing a dripping tray, you need to take several things into account. The most important ones are listed by our specialist.
Material
It is important that the dripping tray is resistant to the corrosive effect of the products stored. Most of these trays are made of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) or PP (Polypropylene or Polypropylene) plastic. These are inflexible, strong and water-repellent plastics that are highly resistant to chemicals such as aggressive acid and alkalis. Materials such as steel are not resistant to many types of acid. Therefore, pay attention to the material when purchasing a dripping tray.
Capacity of insertion
Dripping trays differ in terms of sizes, resulting in being suitable for cans, barrels and IBC containers. The following is prescribed by law: the dripping tray placed in storage must have a storage capacity of at least 110% of the contents of the largest packaging under which it is placed, or a storage capacity of at least 10% of the contents of all stored substances under which it is placed (note: the largest value counts!). To illustrate this, two examples are given below.
Example 1: You have 1 barrel with 150 litres, 5 barrels with 75 litres and 4 barrels with 50 litres. Together this is a quantity of 725 litres.
- 110% of the capacity of the largest packaging = 110% x 150 litres = 165 litres
- 10% of the volume of all substances stored = 10% x 725 litres = 72.5 litres
The largest value counts, so the dripping tray must have a storage capacity of
at least 165 litres in this case.
Example 2: You have 1 of 25 litres and 20 barrels of 15 litres. This comes down to a quantity of 325 litres.
- 110% of the capacity of the largest packaging = 110% x 25 litres = 27.5 litres
- 10% of the capacity of all substances stored = 10% x 235 litres = 32.5 litres
The largest value counts, so the dripping tray must have a storage capacity of
at least 32.5 litres in this case.
GRP grate
When purchasing a dripping tray, you can choose a one with or without an GRP grid. A GRP (Glass-Fibre Reinforced Plastic) grate is a very strong grate attached to the top of the dripping tray and on which (depending on the size) drums, cans or IBC containers can be placed. In the case of a dripping tray without an GRP grid, the products are placed within the dripping tray. In the case of a dripping tray with an GRP grid, the products are placed above the drip tray on the grid (so that you have more collection capacity available and you do not have to lift the products into the drip tray).
Separating acidic and basic products
When certain undiluted liquid fertilizers (acids and basic products) come into contact with each other,
unintentional contamination can occur. Therefore, it is necessary to make use of a separate dripping tray for acid and basic products to keep these substances apart.
The placement of dripping trays
When placing drip trays, you should take the following points into account:
- Make sure that the floor is clean and even, so that the dripping tray can be placed completely horizontally.
- If you have a dripping tray with a GRP grate, please note that a maximum of 1000 kg per m2 of load capacity may be placed on the grate.
- Do not install any pipes or other objects in the dripping tray, because it causes a risk of leakage.
Empty drip trays
You should empty a drip tray immediately and clean it if there has been a leak. In this way, you limit the danger risks as much as possible. The disposal of the contents of drip trays must be carried out based on the General Local Bye-Laws (AVP) of the municipality in which the company is located. This means that the contents must be disposed of as chemical waste. Make sure that you always wear
personal protective equipment when emptying drip-trays!
Removing substances from the dripping tray
After removing the content from the dripping tray, you can choose to clean them.
Do not use abrasive cleaners. These can damage dripping tray, resulting in reducing its strength, thus creating a risk of leakage.
Any questions about selecting dripping trays?Do you have any questions about crop care, or do you want personal advice?
Contact one of our product specialists, or use the form below.
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